News

Since 2012, Ontario has seen an increase in births to individuals aged 35 and older, a near doubling of mental health concerns during pregnancy, declining early exclusive breastfeeding rates, and a tripling in reported cannabis use during pregnancy since legalization.

Ontario’s perinatal landscape has undergone significant change over the past decade. This webinar highlights key findings from the BORN report A Decade and Beyond: Perinatal Health in Ontario (2012–2024), drawing on data from over 140,000 births annually to explore trends in maternal health, pregnancy, birth, and newborn outcomes, along with emerging challenges, equity considerations, and opportunities for improving care and system planning.

BORN Ontario is pleased to announce that it has joined Research Impact Canada (RIC) as one of five new member organizations. Research Impact Canada is a national network dedicated to maximizing the real-world impact of research by advancing knowledge mobilization practices across institutions and sectors.

BORN Ontario is proud to be featured in a recent article by the Ottawa Medical Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, highlighting innovative work in using artificial intelligence (AI) to support earlier identification of autism.

The Ontario government is taking the next steps to deliver its Primary Care Action Plan, which is on track to connect everyone in the province to a family doctor or primary care provider by 2029. As part of its plan, Ontario is advancing a new provincewide Primary Care Medical Record system that will integrate patient records, reduce paperwork for doctors and improve the quality of care received by patients. Through the 2026 Budget, the province is also increasing overall funding for the plan to a total of $3.4 billion between 2025 and 2029.

The upcoming Precision Child and Youth Mental Health Conference 2026 will bring together leading researchers, clinicians, funders, and policymakers to explore emerging approaches to improving mental health care for children and youth.

Nearly half of Black women, girls and gender-diverse people in Canada have delayed or avoided seeking health care out of fear of racial discrimination, according to a new national survey that researchers say exposes widespread anti-Black racism within the health-care system.

The Canadian Perinatal Opioid Project (CPOP) has launched the country’s first health data dashboard dedicated to perinatal opioid exposure. Designed as part of a broader effort to build a national public health surveillance system, the project examines opioid exposure among mother–infant pairs and explores associated impacts on maternal and child health across Canada.

The Government of Canada recently introduced Bill S-5, the Connected Care for Canadians Act. This Act is part of Canada's plan to build up and protect the health care system, and empower Canadians to have more control over their health.

Toronto Black Maternal Health Week (TBMHW) is a dedicated initiative that brings together healthcare professionals, community organizations, and advocates to raise awareness, provide education, and promote equitable access to quality maternal healthcare.